It’s the absolute worst fishing condition. Record bass have been caught during winter months. Alan HenryGOOD. Fall Bass Fishing Tip. A Lake Norman native, Cherry has spent years perfecting his cold water fishing skills. Fronts, Cold and Warm. Oftentimes, when fishing clear water, you have seen bass in the areas before and were unable to catch them, so you come back at a later time or date and try again. Look for areas where bait fish are concentrating like creek channels, swings and rock to sand transitions. Largemouth bass are fair on crankbaits, silver spoons, suspended jerk baits, skirted jigs, and drop shots near brush, creeks, and rocky shorelines in 14-28’. Good luck. Membership Includes 1 Year Bassmaster Magazine, Plus $50 in free gear. Typically, you will find the fish on corners of turns instead of the tips of them. After ice-out in late winter or early spring, bass begin moving from deeper areas where they spent the winter toward rapidly warming shallow waters. The digestive process is greatly slowed; according to Doug Hannon, ESPN's Bass Professor, it takes a bass about four hours to digest a meal in 80-degree water, four days in 50-degree water! In no specific order. User account menu. They give you free finger movement, retain your feel and keep your hands warmer than you think. Catch more in our blog: Winter Jigs-5 Tips to Boost the Bass Bite. When that happens, I revert to winter presentations, fishing a jerkbait or … Another great tip we can offer for cold water fishing is to build your own fishing rod suited for your application – and to your liking. If the water is open and surface temps are between thirty five and fifty degrees bass can still be caught on regular bass gear. The biggest question we get asked by anglers is when to throw what bait. One of the most valuable tools for finding early spring bass is a water temperature gauge. “People tend to get confused and think that bass always suspend in depths of 30 to 40 feet in cold water—that’s not the case. As it warms up, the three stages of spring begin. Top Water Fishing in 50 Degree Water. Remember the important factor is the water temperature, not the air temperature. Despite the dropping air temperatures, this is a great time to be on the water fishing. jig with Pit Boss or D-Bomb trailer, but I was messing around with some new gear today and using a light rod. Above 55 is where I start to really see it. If you have a week of 35-degree days and then a 45-degree day, I would make sure to be on your most productive winter spots during that warmest day. They don’t need the air conditioning of the 20-foot depths to make them happy. Posted by. One of the most valuable tools for finding early spring bass is a water temperature gauge. First you need an ultra sensitive rod. The digestive process is greatly slowed; according to Doug Hannon, ESPN's Bass Professor, it takes a bass about four hours to digest a meal in 80-degree water, four days in 50-degree water! Stable weather is fishing weather during which bass are most active and their behavior during different periods of stable conditions probabilistic. Under these conditions I have three favorite baits. They will be heading towards shoreline structure and will be hanging out in the shallows. Bass are feeding up for the winter, and many folks have garaged their boats until the spring. You’d be amazed at how aggressive the bite can be in these cold temperatures. Typically after a prolonged period of sub 40 degree weather the bass will go deep. (318)560-9827 « previous next ... 35… If you want to fish when the water is this cold target another species such as Walleye or Northern Pike. (318)347-7380 You can Email Me Here Mike Cork Ph. With that said, we all know you can still catch ‘em when it’s cold out and below are some simple crankbait tips to boost your winter bass numbers. In stained water, I like the chartreuse crawfish Series 5. Thank goodness for heated power plant lakes in the winter. Well imagine how fish feel… and they’re swimming in it! The biggest question we get asked by anglers is when to throw what bait. While the surface temp may be 33 degrees, the water is warmer where the bass winter in deeper water. Summer sun can bring water temperature above 75 degrees and may even eclipse 90 degrees. Winter bass fishing marks the end of a phenomenal bite when the fish were pushed up in the shallows, chasing baitfish and putting the feedbag on. In cold water, fish tend to slow down and feed only at opportune times that won’t require to much energy to consume. Although our surface temperature is in the low 30s, diehards are catching fish. Learn more about three of the most effective cold water techniques and what rods work best with each application. It is much easier to get started than you think, and very affordable. Water clear 52 degrees; 4.28’ low. Their body temperature, bass being cold blooded, is the same as the surrounding water, usually in the 40's. Lakes in some far northern areas are completely frozen over. TrapperJ. While deep fishing techniques can certainly yield nice catches in the colder months, you won’t find Elite Series pro Hank Cherry doing it. Shallow water is much more apt to change temperature then deeper water. Hybrid stripers are fair with live bait in the main lake around 23-35’. Blade baits (thin, fish-shaped metal bodies with two treble hooks) are popular baits with diehard winter anglers. But when they do, good things can happen. When the water is colder, the shad suspend in the water column and if I see shad dying and gulls diving on them, that tells me the suspending jerkbait is the best choice. Bass are focused on shad during the winter, and I prefer a suspending jerkbait for fishing around vertical structure, like main lake bluffs and bridges, this time of year. It is hard to quantify how the barometric pressure affects bass fishing, but it does. Striped bass bite best when water temps are below 65 degrees. Any lure that you use, within reason, can catch fish. Have a good selection of lures to choose from, so you'll have confidence in what you're using. Cold water fishing can be tough, so some key changes in the way you fish are necessary. 35 degree air temp but the water is a toasty 55. In no specific order. Also, our primary forage consists of crawfish, bluegills and perch, not shad. Be Confident. LBJ: Water clear; 55 degrees; 0.66’ low.Largemouth bass are slow. Of course, the weather helps drive the Seasonal Guide. I use 6-pound fluorocarbon because it helps me control lighter weight lures in deeper water and provide a more natural presentation. Although this cold snap is enough to keep some off the water, it is also a time when other anglers will switch up their tactics to catch jaw-dropping bags despite the weather. Yes, in some cases they have to drive their boats over thin ice to get to open water. Under that type of extreme heat, very-few anglers want to go out on the water to fish, because catching bass in 90-degree water is difficult. Along with water temperature, spring largemouth location is driven by spawning behavior, so fishin… I like fishing suspending jerkbaits in the winter because they allow you to cover a lot of water and they draw strikes even when they’re not moving. Top Water Fishing in 50 Degree Water Every year as the water warms from winter to spring the bass move up on top of humps and ledges and you can have a blast fishing top water baits. Find out more in our blog: Proven Cold Water Crankbait Fishing Techniques. White bass are fair on slabs. JOIN TODAY! In 80 degree water a bass digests its food in about four hours. The best way to start is to get a turnkey kit, which includes everything you need to build your own custom bass fishing rod. They’re tightly schooled in small areas. However, due to our unpredictable Florida weather, the temperature changes in our ‘winter’ can make bass change their behavior sporadically. Under that type of extreme heat, very-few anglers want to go out on the water to fish, because catching bass in 90-degree water is difficult. Water temperature should also play a role in lure selection. 40-45 degree water pretty much describes our lakes for about a month after ice out, and those baits are what usually work for me. Now, if the water temperature is dropping, the bass will back off the flats and hold on the first available drop or structure closest to deep water. These are the best late fall bass fishing lures because by late fall, when you’re experiencing near freezing temperatures at night, bass have likely retreated to the shallowest area of the water. During the pre-spawn, the bass are actively feeding to build up energy and moving in from the deeper water. Although many anglers expect cold water bass to suspend in deep water, his experience tells a different story. Day 2: How to Fish for Crappie and White Bass in 30 Degree Water at Lake Springfield February 5, 2019 Editor’s Note: Twenty-seven-year-old Reagan Smith (Reag’s Guide Service) of Tremont, Illinois, says he’s been crappie fishing forever, and he’s been … Largemouth will seek the warmest, most stable water they can find, and that usually means deeper water, so for many anglers this is the first daunting challenge of winter fishing. The warmer water temperatures affects on bass fishing makes the bass become super aggressive. Most of the fishing public believes bass activity shuts down when the water temperature gets into the mid-40s, but that’s not true. Regardless of where I’m fishing, I target these bass with a variety of shallow baits. Finding Bass. you'll throw a topwater lure in!!??? This only occurs in the Northern United States. See if this helps you with some general ideas of when to throw what baits. Lethargic and much slower to strike, fish in cold water aren’t looking to actively feed as much as looking for an opportunity at an easy meal. The best fishing times usually occur after the third day of a stable weather period. I know it sounds crazy but some of the biggest stringers in tournaments are caught on top water lures in early spring. Warmer water means topwaters such as buzzbaits and pencil style baits you can walk such as the Zara Spook. smalljaw67 2,472 Posted February 27, 2014. smalljaw67. Pre-Spawn, Spawn & Post-Spawn. And those same areas will be productive year after year. As we begin the … The big fish are really looking for warmer water, so a difference of just a few degrees can really matter. The multi-lure rig has been catching quality bass in cold water for the past couple of years. I like really shallow running crankbaits. I've caught my biggest bass in December and the end of November. 40-45 degree water pretty much describes our lakes for about a month after ice out, and those baits are what usually work for me. Quote; Link to post Share on other sites. Kevin VanDam's column appears weekly on Bassmaster.com. When the barometric pressure is high, fish tend to be slow and sluggish. Cold water is a good example. Log In Sign Up. The bass will spend mornings and evenings in the shallower water and head out to deeper, cooler water during the hot afternoons. When the barometric pressure is high, fish tend to be slow and sluggish. In other words, burning baits across the top of the water won’t cut it, but these top 3 cold water fishing techniques will help you get more bass bites! Now, these fish are moving into their wintertime haunts offshore, and preparing for colder weather. The multi-lure rig has been catching quality bass in cold water for the past couple of years. Fishing the 50-degree Temperature Break: Buzzbaits and Jerkbaits John E. Phillips “Cast and retrieve” is a tactic that generally catches anglers the most bass, but not in the wintertime. The big fish are really looking for warmer water, so a difference of just a few degrees can really matter. As the water temperature plummets, the need for frequent feeding diminishes, and bass become exponentially less active. This is a good time to bust out your topwater baits. Remember to reel slow. Most of the fishing public believes bass activity shuts down when the water temperature gets into the mid-40s, but that’s not true. The winter thaw has ended and it’s getting warmer which means, it must be spring! Concentrate on two styles of fishing in 50 degree water. It’s not unusual to catch 20 to 25 bass a day once you locate them and 50 a day isn’t out of the question. 30-40 degrees water temp is very cold,fish are lethargic at this temp. Once the water temperature reaches 75 degrees or higher in the shallows, most bass will move off shore to deeper water. When many of us think of bass fishing in cold water, we envision uncomfortable temperatures, finesse gear and deep water. Black bass are fair working brush and man-made structures with crankbaits, spinners, and worms. Since fish aren’t rushing to slam any lures in the cold, fishing jigs in winter takes a different presentation turn subtle strikes into successful hooksets. Picture how you feel when you wake up on a particularly cold winter day… you don’t want to get up, you barely want to move, and you definitely don’t want to work for a meal. Close. Of course, it's foolish to use a surface lure for bass when the water is 35 degrees, but most lures work most of the time if you just use them in the right places and under the right conditions. In general, I like to hit the water when the pressure has been stable, around 30.00 for three days, ahead of a low-pressure front. In other words, burning baits across the top of the water won’t cut it, but these top 3 cold water fishing techniques will help you get more bass bites! Crappie are fair on minnows and jigs. 70 – 80+ Degrees. Large bass are among the first to move toward the shallows. As water temperatures change, so does the behavior of the fish and in order to get more jerkbait bites, you need to change it up too! And guys wanted to know if there was a chart you could reference for when to fish certain bass fishing lures.We organized the Wired2Fish Bass Fishing Lure Selector Chart by water temperature and water clarity. Striper fishing ranged from OK to very good for people who have found the big schools of stripers in deeper water. Read more in our blog: Cold Water Jerkbait Tips for Bass Fishing. They don't chase food as enthusiastically as they do in spring because their energy levels are low. The worm, spinnerbait, and jig bite slows down for most anglers once the heat of summer settles in, but that’s not the case for fishermen willing to brave the darkness. In many cases, this will be a nearby creek or river that pours into the water. Often suspended near cover, bass can certainly be coaxed out for a bite if the lure has just enough snap to catch the attention of the bass, but not too much action to avoid scaring off these worthy strikes. A drop shot, or a heavy swimbait is a good choice to get down there to … While bass can chase in cold water to some degree (if motivated by easy prey) when water warms they seem to NEED speed more often than not. 1 6 1 161. Night fishing is especially effective for anglers that enjoy shallow, power fishing techniques. Fortunately, there are ways around that, and we put together some tips to help you succeed when the mercury’s pegged. FAIR. In fact, cold water often means the exact opposite for him—shallow water fishing. tournament fishing earnings amass more than $8,000,000, which lure they would choose for winter fishing. The fish will take advantage of a few degree temperature change to put some food in their stomachs. Northern Largemouth. I often speed test small bass (easy to find bc there are lots of 'em) to see if they need speed. For that reason, it’s critical to use electronics to look for balls of bait and bass hanging close to these deep weed patches. I'm addicted to The Weather Channel, and stay tuned to it constantly before and during tournament competition. Everything is perfectly sized and matched to make it super easy to build it yourself, so give it a try! Transition, that is, when bass move into the creeks, does not occur simultaneously across a lake. Because our water is so clear now, it’s really important to use smaller profile lures. During the fall it can feel like you have the whole lake to yourself. Proven Cold Water … Here are a few tips, tricks and tactics to help you cope with the unfamiliar lake blues. That’s usually true in clear water, but if the water dirties, the fish move shallower. Most of our lakes don’t have current flowing through them like reservoirs, so there is a temperature gradient throughout the water column. However, baits like jerkbaits, spinnerbaits and crankbaits aren’t players; the fish are hunkered down so you have to get a bait that stays in their face longer, like jigging spoons, blade baits, grubs and even tubes. Bass Fishing Forum > General Bass Fishing Discussion > Bass Fishing Techniques, Presentations and Lures > Topic: Water is < 55 degrees. Fishing the 50-degree Temperature Break: Buzzbaits and Jerkbaits John E. Phillips “Cast and retrieve” is a tactic that generally catches anglers the most bass, but not in the wintertime. Cold Water Bass Fishing: Blade Bait. Take your jerkbaits to anywhere you can find water running into the body of water you’re fishing. Don’t be fooled by the cold, fish will still strike in winter, but it takes a little more patience compared to the year’s warmer months. After experimentin… The water depth plays a key role in this temperature change problem. ADD SPACE Laurie Cork Ph. Conditions we’re seeing here in Michigan refute beliefs that bass go “dormant.”. However, my favorites are small tubes and grubs. When doing this, it's best to ease into the areas. If you use a heavy action rod you will not even feel the pickups and drops by Largemouth bass that have sampled your offering and declined. Many fisherman experience the frustration of fishing for bass in unfamiliar lakes. And guys wanted to know if there was a chart you could reference for when to fish certain bass fishing lures.We organized the Wired2Fish Bass Fishing Lure Selector Chart by water temperature and water clarity. The main difference between jerkbaits and swimbaits is the presentation. Working a crankbait successfully in cold water takes a different presentation to get strikes compared to fishing crankbaits in warmer water temperatures. The A-rig, for example, has dispelled that belief here and across the south. A common mistake all anglers make is we adopt preconceived notions about when the fish bite and how active they will or won’t be. I’ve caught bass from 3 feet of water when the surface temperature was 50 degrees. Bass, as you probably know, are cold-blooded creatures, meaning their body temperature is the same as that of their surroundings.As the water temperature drops, so does their metabolic level. TrapperJ 127 Posted March 3, 2014. Keep in mind that fish are just as lazy and slow moving in the cold water as you are waking up in winter. Every year as the water warms from winter to spring the bass move up on top of humps and ledges and you can have a blast fishing top water baits. Instead of a 3 1/2-inch tube, we use 2-inchers. There are specific times when Elite Series pros turn to fast-action worming — here’s how they decide between the two most popular tail options. If you don't have a surface temperature monitor on your boat, get one. In the North, where bass are accustomed to lower temperatures, fishing can be good in water temperatures above 45 degrees. Get best fishing times with lunar fishing calendars, Daily Limit: Robertson blooms after gloom, Small crankbaits can heat up cold water fishing, Nominations open for 2021 Bassmaster High School All-Americans, Nothing better than fresh fish cooked properly. In different areas of the country, water temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees will set bass into a spawning mode that will change the whole complexion of the lake we are fishing. Lethargic and slow to eat anything, fish in cold water are looking more to conserve energy rather than exerting it to feed. While it’s not impossible to get bass to bite when water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, there are some presentations better suited than others for the task. Quality electronics like my Lowrance Carbon 16-inch screen has really upped the game. When summer heat causes the shallows to feel like bath water, many anglers are inclined to probe offshore structure in search of hot water bass. Also, look for bass to hang deep to stay cool. They cast them, then rip them a few inches off the bottom and allow them to flutter back. In general, I like to hit the water when the pressure has been stable, around 30.00 for three days, ahead of a low-pressure front. One day, three of us sat in the boat and threw at the same spot. If the water temperature is less than 40 degrees I would not even consider targeting Largemouth Bass. In 50 degree water it takes about four days. 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Energy levels are low tells a different presentation to get started than think...